Adopting From Another Country?!

HEY EVERYONE!

I won't waste any time and get right to it... Has anyone ever thought of adopting a cat or dog from another country? After some careful thought, I've decided to open my heart again and adopt another dog. However, most of the dogs in my area get swept up fast or are way too expensive. The dogs here are so privileged! But after hours of searching, I came across an organization that rescues dogs in terrible condition from St. Lucia. They are treated there and sent to Canada (Ontario) to be adopted into loving forever homes. After some careful thought, I decided to adopt this way as it is cheaper and just makes more sense to me. These poor dogs need homes badly. I'm currently in the process of adopting a 35lb dog named Snoopy. He's coming from a traumatizing past and needs lots of work but I'm willing to work with him.

Has anyone even thought about doing this before? OR have you actually done it?

Pictures of Snoopy (soon to be Willard):

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I almost adopted a dog from Kuwait but the foster family picked another person . It wasn't a rescue that specialized in out-of-country dogs---the foster family just happened to go to Kuwait a couple times a year and would usually rescue a dog or two while they were there.

Anyway, in areas where there isn't a big overpopulation problem, I think it's super! Be aware that some dog people are angry about it, they think breeders should breed more dogs instead of having rescues importing them from other countries. Maybe there's less breed snobbery in Canada though. But in case you happen to run into someone who wants to yell at you when they find out where your dog came from, just wanted to warn you.

Wow, that's awful. I chose him because I've been searching for a local dog for quite some time now but never "clicked" with any of them. I read their stories, saw videos, etc. But it just didn't feel right. Snoopy has a similar past to mine and he behaves as I did when I was younger. I don't know what it is but I felt and knew in my heart that he was the one. I know it sounds crazy but I can't explain it any other way.

I have never considered adopting from another country as there are far too many animals in my community alone that get put down every day because there are not enough homes.  I am certain that getting the dog from one country to another cannot be cheap, but since I am not experienced one way or the other in this I will (sort of)  keep the comments on that to myself, aside from mentioning that either the rescue is paying for it (with funds that could be used for the care and treatment of other animals) or you are, so I am interested in knowing how much cheaper adopting from another country is?  (sincerely curious on that)

Does the rescue operation ensure the animals are spayed/neutered and up to date on immunizations?

Are their vet requirements/ quarantine period for animals that are imported? 

How is the animal transported from St. Lucia to where you are?

Who is responsible for the safety of the animal during transport?

Will they take the animal back if you determine you are unable or unwilling to work with the dog, or if the dog fails to make progress from its troubled past?

MollyBlue said:

 
I have never considered adopting from another country as there are far too many animals in my community alone that get put down every day because there are not enough homes.  I am certain that getting the dog from one country to another cannot be cheap, but since I am not experienced one way or the other in this I will (sort of)  keep the comments on that to myself, aside from mentioning that either the rescue is paying for it (with funds that could be used for the care and treatment of other animals) or you are, so I am interested in knowing how much cheaper adopting from another country is?  (sincerely curious on that)

Does the rescue operation ensure the animals are spayed/neutered and up to date on immunizations?

Are their vet requirements/ quarantine period for animals that are imported? 

How is the animal transported from St. Lucia to where you are?

Who is responsible for the safety of the animal during transport?

Will they take the animal back if you determine you are unable or unwilling to work with the dog, or if the dog fails to make progress from its troubled past?

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I understand that. It just seems very difficult and expensive to obtain a dog or puppy where I am. It actually isn't as much as you think. It only cost about $125 - $200 to import dogs from approved countries. All the information is on Canada's government travel websites. It depends on a few different factors. The adoption fee for Snoopy is only $175 vs $350 - $500 adoption fee in my area for a local dog.

Because the dogs are being imported, they have to be immunized but it isn't required that they are spayed or neutered.

There aren't any quarantine periods for the dogs but they are vet checked a second time once they reach Canada. From what I read on the government website, the rabies shot is the most important.

The dogs are transported by plane and car.

The volunteers are responsible for the animals safety during transport.

They will take him back. There will be a trial period. But I have experience in dog training so I'm hoping my skills will come through and we will make progress with Snoopy.

I have heard that in some parts of Canada, most rescues charge $400- $600, and the international rescues only charge around $300. Like I said, in places that don't have an overpopulation problem, it's great. I'm not going to tell a dog he should die because of where he was born.

Willowy said:

I have heard that in some parts of Canada, most rescues charge $400- $600, and the international rescues only charge around $300. Like I said, in places that don't have an overpopulation problem, it's great. I'm not going to tell a dog he should die because of where he was born.

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Correct. Around $300 - $500. Sometimes more. I mean, I wouldn't mind but that's quite a lot for me. It's not that I can't financially provide for all my animals because of course I can. Everyone in the family contributes financially to their wellbeing. It's just that, after the adoption, I have to worry about buying all the dogs supplies and licencing them, getting them fixed, etc. I'll probably end up spending $2000. It seems unethical to me. On top of that, there are several interviews and sometimes they figure the dog isn't a good match for you. Even some purebred "fancy" breed puppies here are so expensive. I'm talking $600 - $1700.

Graceful-Lily said:

 
I understand that. It just seems very difficult and expensive to obtain a dog or puppy where I am. It actually isn't as much as you think. It only cost about $125 - $200 to import dogs from approved countries. All the information is on Canada's government travel websites. It depends on a few different factors. The adoption fee for Snoopy is only $175 vs $350 - $500 adoption fee in my area for a local dog.

Because the dogs are being imported, they have to be immunized but it isn't required that they are spayed or neutered.

There aren't any quarantine periods for the dogs but they are vet checked a second time once they reach Canada. From what I read on the government website, the rabies shot is the most important.

The dogs are transported by plane and car.

The volunteers are responsible for the animals safety during transport.

They will take him back. There will be a trial period. But I have experience in dog training so I'm hoping my skills will come through and we will make progress with Snoopy.

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Well it sounds as though you have thought this through.  Canada is lucky not to have overcrowded animal shelters!  In that regard, what is Canada's euthanasia policy towards animals in shelters?

Sorry if it seems I am splitting hairs, really, if you Snoopy stole your heart and you just want that dog, then that's fine. I just still think that by the time you get the animal spayed or neutered (and hopefully you are planning on doing that) and up to date on immunizations, adoption fee, and travel fee, I still don't think it is going to be cheaper.  In the states, there is so much overcrowding that if a local shelter won't let you adopt, there has to be something wrong...anyway, good luck on your new pet.

MollyBlue said:

 
Well it sounds as though you have thought this through.  Canada is lucky not to have overcrowded animal shelters!  In that regard, what is Canada's euthanasia policy towards animals in shelters?

Sorry if it seems I am splitting hairs, really, if you Snoopy stole your heart and you just want that dog, then that's fine. I just still think that by the time you get the animal spayed or neutered (and hopefully you are planning on doing that) and up to date on immunizations, adoption fee, and travel fee, I still don't think it is going to be cheaper.  In the states, there is so much overcrowding that if a local shelter won't let you adopt, there has to be something wrong...anyway, good luck on your new pet.

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The euthanasia policy is "hush hush". I don't know much about it because when I ask most shelters, it's not something that is openly discussed. But from past experience with shelters, cats are usually euthanized within 10 - 14 days. For dogs, it's supposed to be more. Dogs don't usually spend much time in shelters here unless they are special needs, really old, or have some sort of bahavioural problem. It would be cheaper though. I have thought this out and did all the math. I have a good vet that does dog neutering for about $150 or $170. Can't remember but it doesn't touch $200. The adoption fee of $175 covers Snoopy's travel and immunization. So, all in all, I'll be spending about $300 - $400. Plus, petsmart has a puppy/dog starter kit for roughly $60 or something which includes basic supplies that would cost $200 on their own.

FORGOT TO ADD: There is a no kill shelter close to me that has over 250 cats. The government is forcing them to move because they want the property or land for industrial development or some kind of development. They are low on funding and can't afford to move so in a few months, all the cats will be placed in shelters. The ones that can't be placed with be euthanized. I don't know if this has anything to do with the policy but dogs are worshipped. Cats seem to be second-class.

I saw an episode of Dog Whisperer where he went to Mexico.  He was looking for a dog for a specific person who had just lost their dog but still had another dog.  He picked up 5.  The family took one of them and the other  four went to his center while he worked on rehoming them.  He said that there is a strong bias against spay/neuter in Mexico so there are lots of puppies in bad situations.  This group did spay/neuter.  

Graceful-Lily said:

FORGOT TO ADD: There is a no kill shelter close to me that has over 250 cats. The government is forcing them to move because they want the property or land for industrial development or some kind of development. They are low on funding and can't afford to move so in a few months, all the cats will be placed in shelters. The ones that can't be placed with be euthanized. I don't know if this has anything to do with the policy but dogs are worshipped. Cats seem to be second-class.

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Awww... I am sorry to hear that.  Cats RULE, Dogs drool... lol, guess Canada didn't get the memo.  I am a cat person myself and I know the cat shelters here will not take drop offs due to overcrowding.  We had a feral/stray that showed up pregnant at our doorstep and we took her in, figured we would get her and the kittens spayed and fully vetted and then rehome them.  She only had one kitten and we cannot find homes for either of them so now we have 4 cats and I only ever wanted one (but we got the first one a playmate).  Anyway, again, good luck on Snoopy.

On a side note, at an adoption event for cats, someone asked if we thought the cats spoke French.  To which the store owner piped up "Of course they speak French.  Cats can ignore you in any language."

There isn't a general overpopulation of dogs in the US, and Canada is even better. There are some local overpopulations of certain breeds (depending on area: pit bulls, Labs, hounds, Chihuahuas, etc.) but in general, shelters should be able to reach at least 90% placement of dogs if they try. Some shelters don't have the funding or the motivation to try as hard as they should :/. But homes do exist for almost all dogs. Cats, though . There are just too many cats.

I am sorry to be critical, but didn't you just give up a cat for adoption because you didn't feel you could afford all of your animals?

How do you know that this dog will be a good fit with all of your existing pets?

talkingpeanut said:

I am sorry to be critical, but didn't you just give up a cat for adoption because you didn't feel you could afford all of your animals?

How do you know that this dog will be a good fit with all of your existing pets?

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I forgot to state that Snoopy (Willard) will be my therapy dog. It's actually critical that I have him as I go through therapy with a psychologist. I will become emotionally unstable during the process and dogs help me to calm down. Also to decrease my symptoms.

My parents and I thought it would be best for my mental health. I'm also taking a break from rescuing because it has become expensive and stressful. I did own a dog once and during that time, my anxiety and depression had decreased dramatically. After he left, I started "hoarding" animals. Believing that I was saving them. They were never wrongly looked after... It's a long story. I don't want to get to deep into my personal business. So basically, Snoopy is going to be a therapy dog and a family dog.

Willowy said:

There isn't a general overpopulation of dogs in the US, and Canada is even better. There are some local overpopulations of certain breeds (depending on area: pit bulls, Labs, hounds, Chihuahuas, etc.) but in general, shelters should be able to reach at least 90% placement of dogs if they try. Some shelters don't have the funding or the motivation to try as hard as they should :/. But homes do exist for almost all dogs. Cats, though . There are just too many cats.

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Yes, it's really sad. My best friend and I had a discussion about this and we thought that if the shelter that's being closed down was filled with puppies and dogs instead of cats and kittens, there is no way this would be happening. The whole situation would be different.

Graceful-Lily said:

I forgot to state that Snoopy (Willard) will be my therapy dog. It's actually critical that I have him as I go through therapy with a psychologist. I will become emotionally unstable during the process and dogs help me to calm down. Also to decrease my symptoms.

My parents and I thought it would be best for my mental health. I'm also taking a break from rescuing because it has become expensive and stressful. I did own a dog once and during that time, my anxiety and depression had decreased dramatically. After he left, I started "hoarding" animals. Believing that I was saving them. They were never wrongly looked after... It's a long story. I don't want to get to deep into my personal business. So basically, Snoopy is going to be a therapy dog and a family dog.

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Are your parents committed to keeping him if he doesn't work as a therapy dog? That's a special connection. I do hope that it works.

How do you know that your cats will be safe with this dog?

talkingpeanut said:

Are your parents committed to keeping him if he doesn't work as a therapy dog? That's a special connection. I do hope that it works.

How do you know that your cats will be safe with this dog?

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I am committed to keeping him if he doesn't work as a therapy dog. As long as I have a dog present, it helps. He doesn't have to be certified by the government. My parents really only help financially if I need an extra dollar but they never help me care for any of my animals. I do it all myself. Of course, I've never met the dog, but he lacks confidence from what his caregivers were saying. We'll just have to wait and see. However, I highly doubt he'll be aggressive.

Graceful-Lily said:

I am committed to keeping him if he doesn't work as a therapy dog. As long as I have a dog present, it helps. He doesn't have to be certified by the government. My parents really only help financially if I need an extra dollar but they never help me care for any of my animals. I do it all myself. Of course, I've never met the dog, but he lacks confidence from what his caregivers were saying. We'll just have to wait and see. However, I highly doubt he'll be aggressive.

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I think you need to ask specifically about whether this dog is ok with other animals. You have a lot of other creatures to protect.

talkingpeanut said:

I think you need to ask specifically about whether this dog is ok with other animals. You have a lot of other creatures to protect.

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Yes, I definitely will. Still waiting for the caregivers to get back to me. They haven't responded yet.